PFI is a mechanism involving a partnership agreement with an external body in order to generate investment in council services. In return for this investment the council pays an annual fee, or unitary charge.
The council has entered into a number of PFI commitments as shown below. These schemes all meet the criteria outlined in the accounting policies and the assets and liabilities are therefore on the council's balance sheet.
In December 2002, the council entered into a design, build, finance and operate contract with Ealing Schools' Partnership Ltd for the provision of school buildings and services for Brentside High, Downe Manor Primary, Gifford Primary and Ravenor Primary. The contract is for 27 years. The value of the unitary charge in 2025/26 was £8.7m (2024/25 £8.6m).
In July 2005, the council entered into a design, build, finance and operate contract with Seafort Ealing Ltd for the provision of school buildings and services for Featherstone Primary, Acton High and Greenford High. The contract is for 25 years. The value of the unitary charge in 2025/26 was £11.6m (2024/25 £11.8m).
The project involves the renewal and upgrading of street lighting across the borough. Southern Electric Contracting Ltd has taken over the responsibility for the management, design, installation, ongoing repairs and maintenance of the borough's entire street lighting stock from 1 August 2005.
The 25 year contract includes a major capital investment programme for the replacement and renewal of over 20,000 items of highway electrical equipment, with a capital replacement value in excess of £20m. The council is funding the PFI project with the help of a £25m government grant.
The PFI lamp column replacement programme was completed in 2010/11. The value of the unitary charge in 2025/26 was £5.1m (2023/24 £5.0m).
The PFI project is for a total of 31.5 years and involves the building and development of 4 new resource centres for Older People including residential and nursing care placements to replace 5 in-house homes.
A PFI credit equivalent to £24m at 2001 prices will be paid over 25 years and used to fund the project with Ealing Care Alliance. The building of the homes was fully completed in 2009.
The value of the unitary charge in 2025/26 was £21.5m (2024/25 £21.0m).
There are four homes, Elm Lodge, opened on the 8 August 2006 with a capacity of 75 beds, Martin House, opened on the 25 February 2008 with a capacity of 77 beds, Sycamore Lodge, opened on the 13 March 2008 with a capacity of 75 beds and Chestnut Lodge, opened on 28 July 2009 with a capacity of 64 beds. Ongoing care costs will be funded through placement budgets.